At age 53, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Thankfully, it was luminal type A, ER-/PR-positive, HER2-negative with no lymph involvement. In spite of a large, invasive 4.2 cm tumor, my cancer was highly treatable and had a great prognosis. However, I was still terrified of dying too young, chemotherapy, and losing my breast. I found an incredible team of surgeons and doctors that specialize in breast cancer and assisted me in deciding what treatments were right for me.
Oncoplastic breast-preserving surgery allowed me to move forward with the rest of my treatment and my life, feeling empowered and confident, knowing that I am greater than cancer. As a long-time yogi and fan of natural medicine, I infused my medical treatment with an array of natural and complementary care strategies along with favoring an organic, plant-based diet. I maintained my strength and love of exercise by riding my bike daily to and from my five weeks of whole breast radiation, and infused philanthropy into my healing process as a way of giving back.
My offering to you: Know your body can heal, be your own advocate, and do not settle for anything but the most advanced, targeted, therapeutic, and holistically minded approach to breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery saves breasts. Demand to be evaluated for it. If it is not offered, go somewhere else. You deserve it.
